Gigi Buffon is primed and ready for the weekend fixture against Lazio in his return to Serie A action after four months. Buffon's return in the midweek Coppa Italia win over Catania was a good test for the World Cup winning goalkeeper and he goes into the weekend clash hopeful of keeping a cleansheet and continuing the fine defensive record of this season with Alex Manninger in goals.

Buffon told Sky TV: "I believe that Manninger has been very good in the games he has played, and this is something that will remain in the minds of club directors, staff and the fans.

"We all know that we can trust Alex in this role. And I know, in case of an emergency, that I can take some extra time to recover."